Neutron Scattering in Condensed Matter Physics

Neutron scattering has become a key technique for investigating the properties of materials on an atomic scale. The uniqueness of this method is based on the fact that the wavelength and energy of thermal neutrons ideally match interatomic distances and excitation energies in condensed matter, and thus neutron scattering is able to directly examine the static and dynamic properties of the material. In addition, neutrons carry a magnetic moment, which makes them a unique probe for detecting magnetic phenomena.

In this important book, an introduction to the basic principles and instrumental aspects of neutron scattering is provided, and the most important phenomena and materials properties in condensed matter physics are described and exemplified by typical neutron scattering experiments, with emphasis on explaining how the relevant information can be extracted from the measurements.

Overall, the text is a very readable and thorough introduction to the subject of neutron scattering techniques. The material is generally what one would want every prospective neutron scattering physics graduate student to understand, and should also be quite helpful to any researcher new to the field. The book additionally can serve as an introduction to some of the topics of current interest to condensed matter physicists. --Neutron News